Shows
Walk the ValleyTomas de Souza former CEO of AblemindIn this episode of Walk the Valley, Tomas shares an honest and reflective conversation on what it means to lead a startup when things don’t go as planned.From dealing with the emotional toll of uncertainty to understanding the importance of early scenario planning, Tomas opens up about the unseen challenges that many founders face but rarely talk about.We explore:- How to manage emotions when the pressure mounts- Why acknowledging blind spots and asking questions early can be a strength- The role of founder alignment and scenario planning from day one- The leading causes of startup fa...2025-06-0228 minWalk the ValleyJule Dalsgard CEO of Lifeline RoboticsIn this episode Will talks with Julie Dalsgaard, CEO of Lifeline Robotics, a Danish MedTech startup born at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.Julie shares what it was like to build a company in the middle of a global crisis, and how Lifeline Robotics navigated the difficult shift from emergency pandemic use to long-term clinical relevance. From pivoting toward general practice to operating in the grey zone between robotics and medical devices, her journey offers a grounded and honest look at the messy reality of healthcare innovation.She also reflects on the emotional toll...2025-05-1520 minWalk the ValleyKnowing Your Customers and designing your Value ProporsitionIn this special episode of Walk the Valley, Will and Kata dive into one of the most overlooked - and most critical - factors in healthcare innovation: knowing your customer.Borrowing the term KYC from the financial world, we reframe it to mean something much deeper: understanding your users and customers through deliberate research and value proposition design. Because no amount of technology, funding, or hype can save a startup that's solving the wrong problem.We explore practical tools like the Value Proposition Canvas, Business Model Testing, and the Elements of Value pyramid, and walk through a 10-point checklist...2025-04-2921 min
Walk the ValleyHanna Sjöström, CEO of Neola MedicalIn this episode, Will is joined by Hanna Sjöström, CEO of Neola Medical, a company pioneering neonatal lung monitoring. But before stepping into the medtech world, Hanna built her career in fast-moving consumer goods, holding leadership roles at L’Oréal and Coca-Cola. Her transition from global brands to leading an early-stage medical device company is a testament to the power of adaptable leadership and strategic vision.In this episode, we explore what it takes to step in as an external CEO and drive innovation in a highly specialized, high-stakes field like neonatal care. We discuss the uniqu...2025-03-2524 minWalk the ValleyChristian Høding, founder and CEO of HirdIn this episode I am joined by Christian Höding, founder and CEO of Hird.io, and an expert in management consulting, strategy, and execution. Startups in healthcare often focus on securing funding, but the reality is—strategy, execution, and leadership are just as critical for survival.In this episode, we take a deep dive into turning strategy into action, exploring what works and what doesn’t when trying to navigate the challenges of healthcare innovation. We discuss how to choose the right market wisely to avoid costly missteps and ensure long-term success. A key part of this journey is bu...2025-03-0724 min
Walk the ValleyFinn Ketler managing partner and founder of CoopMedIn this episode, I sit down with Finn Ketler, a seasoned expert in healthcare innovation and commercialization. With years of experience navigating market entry, regulation, and strategic growth, Finn has built a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in the healthcare space.Discussions about healthcare startups often circle back to funding challenges, but there’s so much more to consider when building a medtech company. Today, we’re shifting gears to explore what really drives success - beyond securing investment. And, of course, we’ll tackle the big question: Is there really more than one valley of death...2025-02-2027 min
Walk the ValleyKristine Kuni Buccoliero CEO and founder of Neocare NordicIn today’s episode, I sit down with Kristine, founder and CEO of NeoCare Nordic, a company on the verge of a major milestone with their groundbreaking neonatal care solution.
We discuss what it takes to bring a health tech product to life—from securing CE marking and entering test markets, to crafting a funding strategy that maximizes soft funding and attracts investors. Kristine also shares her insights on working directly with hospitals, creating evidence-based standards, and navigating the tricky gaps between funding cycles.2025-01-2923 min
Walk the ValleyWalk the Valley Christmas Episode"Why Do 80% of HealthTech Startups Fail?"
In this episode of Walk the Valley, Will and Kata explore the harsh realities of the valley of death that healthcare startups face. They uncover the most common reasons behind startup failures.
This episode dives deep into the lessons every founder needs to know to navigate the complex world of healthcare innovation. Whether it’s balancing technology with clinical expertise, securing funding, or understanding user needs—this conversation is packed with insights to help you survive and thrive.2025-01-2126 min
Walk the ValleyPaula Petcu CTO of Interhuman AIIn this episode of Walk the Valley, we talk with Paula Petcu, CTO of Interhuman AI, about navigating the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare. Paula shares her insights on the EU AI Act—its benefits in ensuring safety and fairness, as well as the challenges it poses for startups navigating heavy regulatory demands. She discusses the potential of AI in healthcare, from improving patient communication to diagnostic innovations, while exploring the hurdles of integrating these technologies into public health systems.
Finally, she offers practical advice for early-stage companies entering the healthcare market, including the importance of pa...2025-01-2114 min
Walk the ValleyKush Punyani founder of SpermosenseIn this episode, we sit down with Kush, the founder of Spermosense, a company breaking new ground in male fertility. Kush shares his journey of building a healthcare startup focused on creating products that integrate seamlessly into existing clinical workflows. We dive into the challenges of pre-market development, navigating the funding landscape, and the common pitfalls of B2C models in healthcare. Kush also discusses the unique “valleys of death” that he’s encountered in bringing a medical product to market and offers valuable insights for scientists-turned-entrepreneurs on how to make it through.2025-01-2120 min
Walk the ValleyBalder Onarheim founder of Plato ScienceJoin us as we chat with Balder Ornarheim, the visionary founder of Plato Science, a neurostimulation company pushing the boundaries of mental health and wellness technology. Balder shares his experiences navigating the complex healthcare market, from securing product validation to overcoming long regulatory and ethics approval processes. He also sheds light on the funding challenges unique to early-stage healthcare ventures and offers practical advice on building a product that stands out without disrupting existing systems. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the real-world struggles and triumphs of healthcare innovation.2025-01-2122 min